Advertising Summary: The VCU L. Douglas Wilder School of Government and Public Affairs invites applications for a Director of Communications and External Relations. Reporting to the Wilder School Dean, the Director of Communications and External Relations is responsible for the School’s internal and external communication, marketing, and events. This individual will work closely with the Associate and Assistant Deans and Directors, faculty, and staff, as well as collaborate with the University Communications Office to meet strategic internal and external goals through print and digital collateral, news releases, feature and web content, advertising, and online and social media. The director manages activities and staff, and develops and leads a communications and marketing strategy focused at the local, state, national and international levels, and manages all related activities and staff to 1) advance the public’s awareness of an engagement with the School; 2) support initiatives of the school; 3) develop and refine the School brand (including print, web, and new media materials); 4) refine communications products and services that help to achieve the School’s mission and strategic goals and; 5) support annual and signature event programming and production.
Unit: L D Wilder Sch of Govt & Pub Affrs
Department: L D Wilder Sch of Govt & Pub Affrs
Department Summary: The Wilder School's mission is to:
● Engage, teach and inspire students and leaders to understand and solve challenges in our world.
● Advance research that informs public policy and decision-making to improve our communities.
● Collaborate with communities through innovative partnerships to enhance the quality of life.
The Wilder School's vision is to be the premier resource for public policy expertise in public safety, governance, and economic and community development. The 2025 U.S. News and World Report rankings confirm the Wilder School among the top 15% of graduate schools of public affairs at No. 36 and tied for No.1 in Virginia. The School is also ranked No. 6 in Homeland Security Programs, and No. 33 in Public Management and Leadership. The Wilder School has over 1,400 students and more than 12,000 alumni, with an established environment where diverse perspectives thrive and where a common interest in public service and the betterment of society unites these perspectives together. Our academic excellence attracts the highest quality faculty, staff, and students, and our graduates are leaders in their professions.
Our location in Richmond, the capital of the Commonwealth of Virginia, combined with our proximity to Washington, DC, provides numerous opportunities for engaged scholarship, teaching and community engagement activities. A creative, interdisciplinary School with both academic programs and training/research centers in the social sciences and professional arenas, we reflect the diversity of the communities we serve, providing students and faculty with the knowledge, skills, opportunities, and experience necessary for success.
For additional information about the Wilder School, please visit our website at https://wilder.vcu.edu/.
Duties & Responsibilities:
Strategic Communications Planning (20%)
• Provide leadership direction, visioning, strategic alignment, planning, implementation and resource allocation for communications activities of the Wilder School.
• Develop, implement, and evaluate comprehensive multi-year strategic internal and external communications plans that effectively inform constituencies about key initiatives and build support for the mission of the Wilder School and VCU.
• Develop and promote key messages, and plan strategic delivery to internal and external audiences leveraging existing and new media.
• Build and maintain relationships with staff, faculty, and units throughout the Wilder School and across VCU, identifying opportunities to partner with university communicators on marketing and communications priorities.
Communications Infrastructure, Marketing, and Public Relations (40%)
• Act as chief communications officer for the Wilder School internally and externally, representing the School to the public, media, professional associations, and community organizations.
• Envision and create a cohesive approach across multiple high-impact Wilder School print and electronic publications, web-based media and other forms of communications; direct plan implementation to ensure consistent messaging in line with Wilder School strategies and brand.
• Research and write major press releases, announcements, speeches, award nominations, content for web and print materials, and/or talking points to be delivered by Wilder School senior leadership.
• Lead media relations for the Wilder School, including identifying and executing newsworthy pitches to local and national media; cultivate relationships with members of the media.
• Manage and oversee vendor contracts for development of print and electronic materials for marketing, events, and other needs.
• Oversee stakeholder list-building and maintaining processes and procedures to ensure high-quality, robust lists for communications purposes.
• Evaluate the impact of trends in communications and marketing on applicable activities and systems and implement necessary changes to current programs.
• Oversee execution of public events and school-wide events, including major annual events.
Organizational Communications and Management (35%)
• Effectively manage the Wilder School’s Communications and External Relations unit and supervise staff, including assigning and monitoring work; providing performance evaluations; and making hiring, termination and disciplinary recommendations.
• Oversee and have accountability for all administrative and operational activities of the unit; develop annual communications budget recommendations.
• Provide expert advice to a broad range of internal constituents including administration, faculty, and staff on the most effective and efficient methods of achieving their internal and/or external communications goals.
• Oversee events and programming geared to communicating the Wilder School’s programs and expertise and engaging external and internal stakeholders with the School.
• Foster a positive, collaborative team environment among staff by encouraging relationship building, professional growth, and respect for a wide range of backgrounds and experiences.
Projects and Tasks Outside of Normal Duties (5%)
• Other Duties as assigned.
Minimum Hiring Standards:
• Bachelor’s Degree in Communications or related field with demonstrated and proven experience as a communications media and public relations leader or experience equivalent to a bachelor’s degree.
• At least seven years of progressive professional communications experience and a portfolio of communications work.
• The successful candidate must have a comprehensive understanding of all aspects of outreach and engagement as well as all media and channels, equally able to set proactive strategy throughout the year and quickly identify and leverage real-time events.
• Significant knowledge and understanding of communications principles, current trends in the profession, and the state of the field.
• Experience leading a small communications unit with many and diverse responsibilities. Ability to provide leadership to staff, securing their commitment to the Wilder School and Virginia Commonwealth University.
• Demonstrated skill, knowledge, and ability to communicate clearly and concisely, orally and in writing.
• Strategic, innovative, and prudent utilization of fiscal resources.
• A professional demeanor and experience in handling crisis or sensitive communication.
• Highly collaborative style, ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with internal and external stakeholders, and the public.
• Proven ability to work within a fast-paced, high-charge environment.
• Proven ability to prioritize and handle multiple tasks simultaneously.
• Proven experience with communications tools, databases, and systems, including web development.
• Ability and willingness to travel as a member of the school’s senior leadership team.
• Ability to lift or carry objects weighing more than 10 pounds. Ability to manage multiple competing priorities, meet deadlines, and effectively prioritize assignments.
• Demonstrated experience working in and fostering an environment of respect, professionalism and civility with a population of faculty, staff, and students from various backgrounds and experiences, or a commitment to do so as a staff member at VCU.
Preferred Hiring Standards:
• Master’s Degree in Communications or related field.
• Knowledge and experience in working with national public affairs professional associations.
• Proven record of leadership at shaping communications practices at an accredited college or university.
• Knowledge of familiarity with innovative marketing tools and applications technology; proficiency in graphic design software applications.
Salary Range: $105,000 to $110,000
Benefits: All full-time university staff are eligible for VCU’s robust benefits package that includes comprehensive health benefits, paid annual and holiday leave, generous tuition benefits, retirement planning and savings options, tax-deferred annuity and cash match programs, employee discounts, well-being resources, abundant opportunities for career development and advancement, and more.
Application Submission/Other Information:
All applications should include a cover letter and a detailed resume with the names and contact information of three professional references.
Review of applications will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled, with priority review beginning March 23, 2026.
As a preeminent national, urban, public research university and academic health center, Virginia Commonwealth University is committed to an environment where all can thrive in their pursuit of excellence. Virginia Commonwealth University is an equal opportunity employer.
FLSA Exemption Status: Exempt
Hours per Week: 86.68
Restricted Position: No
ORP Eligible: Yes
Flexible Work Arrangement: Hybrid
University Job Title: 13411Y - Director CM 1
Contact Name: Dr. Robyn McDougle, Search Chair
Contact Email: rdmcdougle@vcu.edu